Banff is the winter wonderland gem of Canada: here are the 25 BEST Banff winter activities for epic views, remarkable tours, and more – perfect for planning your winter adventure!

Banff is an incredible gem in Canada – and it is one of the most magical places to spend a winter vacation! There are so many epic Banff winter activities from hiking Johnston Canyon to ice skating on Lake Louise, and so much more. It is well worth braving the cold to have a magical winter trip here! I spent a few weeks in Banff, Yoho, and Jasper a few years back in January and I cannot recommend it enough if you like playing in the snow, doing cozy activities, and enjoying winter to the fullest.

In this guide I’ll cover 25 bucket-list Banff winter activities, as well as a quick start guide of everything you need to know to plan and take a winter trip to Banff. Ready to dive into winter fun? Let’s go!

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There are scores of incredible Banff Winter Activities but one not to miss is doing a hike or ice walk in Johnston Canyon. It’s something I do EVERY time I’m in Banff and it is a MAGICAL hike through snow and icicles. I’d recommend wearing crampons to get a better grip on the snow and trying out this guided tour – not only will you get to see the canyon and a frozen waterfall, but they’ll give you hot chocolate and pick you up so you don’t have to drive in the snow!

Is there anything more iconic than dog sledding in winter? Check out Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours in Canmore – which is an hour+ drive outside of Banff (where you probably are flying into!). Snowy Owl has 40+ years of experience and focus on prioritizing their dogs’ welfare, so you can enjoy a dog sled experience and know that you are choosing an ethical tour.

One of the ultimate Banff Winter Activities is riding the Banff gondola – get your ticket here! At the top you’ll see 360-degree views from the rooftop observation deck, including Banff, Bow Valley, and six different mountain ranges. There’s also an interactive Above Banff Interpretive Center to learn about the early explorers, wildlife, and local area, and places to eat; Castle Mountain Coffee Co for snacks and drinks, and Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen, and Sky Bistro for full meals. I’d recommend getting a reservation for the latter two! One thing not many people know: you can actually go up after sunset for the Nightrise experience, which is truly special.

Okay it’s not TECHNICALLY the Polar Express – but you can see a train that you’ll SWEAR totally is at a little corner called Morant’s Curve. It might just be one of the most unique and magical experiences in Banff! That being said, it’s a bit difficult to find the exact location, there’s really limited parking, AND you might end up waiting for HOURS in the snow for the train to arrive (MY MISTAKE). So with that in mind, I’d recommend this 2-day tour that includes not only this epic sight but also a TON of adventures in Yoho National Park, which is right next to Banff and is TOTALLY underrated! And you have a lot of things on this Banff winter activities list you want to do, it might be nice to combine them all by doing this tour instead of navigating it all on your own.

It might just be me, but a horse-drawn sleigh ride is giving major Gilmore Girls vibes (who else saw that episode?!) and it is truly downright MAGICAL to do in winter. If you are lucky, you’ll see some wildlife! This activity is great after a day of intense winter activity, like hiking or skating – it’s very relaxing and low-key, which honestly is a great break from some of these higher-energy Banff winter activities.

Lake Louise is one of the iconic lakes of Banff, and seeing it frozen in winter is such an incredible sight – and even better, you can ice skate on it! Lake Louise is a super popular area but the ice skating area is quite large so you’ll have a good amount of room to enjoy it. You can get more information on ice skating here, but you can also do this tour to combine ice skating with exploring Johnston Canyon, or just show up and get tickets to skate in person!

Since you’re already enjoying Lake Louise – you should absolutely try to time your trip with the Ice Magic Festival – world-class ice carvers carve frozen masterpieces and it will absolutely blow you away. I can’t get over how beautiful and intricate the ice sculptures are – and most years there’s even an ice castle you can walk through – so aesthetic!

If you want an unforgettable mini road trip, driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper (or just turning around when you’ve had your fill!) is one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever do, especially in winter. There are all sorts of epic mountain views and scenic stops, such as Bow Valley and Peyto Lake. But if you are nervous about driving in the snow, try this day trip to the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield.

Did you know there are lakes with frozen bubbles you can walk on – and one of which is located in Canada?! I was so excited to discover this (the only other methane-bubble lake I know of is all the way over in Russia!) and it is a bucket-list experience for sure. At Lake Abraham, bacteria at the bottom of the lake decomposes organic matter, releasing methane gas. In winter, as the bubbles rise to the surface, they freeze in the ice – creating this incredible multi-layered bubble view. Tip: just be aware – if there is a LOT of snow, the lake will be covered and it will be harder to see the bubbles – the lake needs to be both frozen AND clear of snow.

Lake Abraham is honestly quite a drive outside of Banff though, so jump on this tour to save yourself the drive – it’s my top pick because they provide essential gear (ice cleats/crampons, and hiking poles) that you NEED for walking on the ice (it’s both super slippery and super windy!) – and it’s nice to not have to buy equipment just for this trip. But if you wanted your own crampons, these are the exact ones I use and recommend! They fit really well over winter boots, but if you size up your winter boot make sure to size up your microspike size too. And trust me, microspikes or crampons are absolutely a NECESSITY for Lake Abraham.

As with most of these Banff winter activities, you’ll be facing a LOT of cold so it’s especially nice to warm up in the Banff Upper Hot Springs. It also just feels AMAZING to rest and relax in the hot springs after a few days of skiing, skating, hiking, adventuring, and all the other winter adventures you’ll get up to. I’d recommend putting a visit here at the end of your trip OR come out multiple times!

If you’re up for braving the early dawn cold, watching a wintery sunrise at Castle Mountain is absolutely breathtaking. And thankfully at least sunrises are much later in winter, so you probably don’t have to get up TOO early to see this view! It’s a nice area to walk around and after sunrise you can warm up with a delicious breakfast and coffee/tea in town afterward!

If sunsets are more your speed than sunrises, try catching a sunset at Vermillion Lakes. The lakes stretch out for quite a long ways, so you can walk down to your ideal vista and watch the sunset away from other people – a private little viewing party! Just make sure to be careful of where you are stepping – some parts of the lake might be frozen and some might NOT be – you definitely don’t want to step on what you think is a patch of snow and crack through into some icy cold water.

This hike is a bit different from Johnston Canyon – at Johnston, you are mostly above and along the sides of the canyon, and it can be quite busy. In Grotto Canyon, you are fully hiking along the ice at the bottom of the canyon, and I found it to be WAY less crowded and busy – I’d recommend this off-the-beaten-path icewalk tour to have a small-group experience! I also like going on tours with any sort of icewalk so I can feel safer with a guide who has specialized knowledge of winter trekking, and is available to help during the entire hike – it’s something I did in Jasper too and will always recommend!

Skiers and snowboarders, do NOT miss the Banff Big 3! They might just have the most incredible views you’ll ever see while skiing or snowboarding! Banff Sunshine has above-treeline terrain and is great for multiple skill levels. Lake Louise is quite diverse with lots of area to ski/snowboard, and Norquay is smaller and more popular with the locals. If you don’t want to travel with your gear, you can rent ski equipment here and rent snowboard equipment here, and do a lesson here. Banff also has an incredible après ski scene – with fantastic resort drinks and amazing nightlife in town.

If you are not a skier or snowboarder but still want to play in the snow, you should definitely go tubing in Banff! It’s a family-friendly activity (kids as young as 4 are welcome to tube!) and it’s JUST as fun for adults as it is for the kids, trust me! You can’t go wrong with tubing at Lake Louise Ski Resort or at Mount Norquay – you’re sure to find lots of powder!

A local Banff friend of mine invited me to join her for the Chateau Experience at the Walliser Stube, which is a restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. And when I tell you it was one of the BEST dinners of my life – I mean that you absolutely HAVE to try the incredible Swiss fondue here! We tried a few different fondues from a three-cheese blend and a traditional bouillon-style broth, and it truly felt like we had slipped into the Alps. Tip: make sure to make a reservation in advance and come hungry!

For a unique experience, try getting out into the backcountry of Banff – you’ll get away from the crowds and get to see views most visitors miss! One amazing backcountry adventure is snowshoeing “The Top of the World”, where you’ll explore Sunshine Meadows and get to see 360 degree views of the Canadian Rockies. If you are lucky, you might just be the only ones out there! Tip: be sure to pack and dress extra warm for this adventure, because the wind chill is no joke!

Two Jack Lake is an incredible area where you can ice skate, take beautiful wintery photographs, and/or snowshoe along the surrounding trails. There is tons to do here, and you won’t regret even just taking some time to walk around and explore. Make sure to check the weather and conditions in advance, especially if you plan to ice skate – you’ll want to make sure the lake is fully frozen over and the skating area is ploughed and ready for skaters.

The town of Banff is tremendously cute – you MUST spend a day enjoying it – and Banff Avenue is the crown jewel of the town. You can enjoy shopping and fantastic restaurants, all with towering mountain views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain in the backdrop. There is are boutique shops, art galleries, and you pretty much can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants along and nearby Banff Avenue.

Banff is home to a variety of wildlife – and winter is a great time to see them as they contrast out so beautifully with the snow. Banff has everything from grizzly bears and black bears, moose, elk, wolves and cougars, and even bighorn sheep. Seeing wildlife in their natural habitat is such a special experience, and having a guide means you’re much more likely to see them!

If you have never tried ice climbing but want to experience it, try this tour where you’ll get to ice climb a frozen waterfall! You’ll have an expert guide and it’s both suitable and customizable for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Ice climbing is such a unique sport and it is so fun to try at least once – and Banff is truly the best place to give this sport a go for the day.

One of the most fun Banff winter experiences is riding an electric fat tire bike in the snow around the iconic sights of Banff! Even if you’ve never ridden one before this is the perfect way to easily see more of Banff with low-effort and high-fun. You’ll ride along a beautiful trail and get to stop at multiple viewpoints picturesque Banff landmarks.

Banff is full of spectacular viewpoints – so make sure you don’t miss visiting at least one! I’d recommend both Bow Falls Viewpoint and Surprise Corner – which despite its name has been picking up a bit in popularity, so make sure to arrive early as the parking lot is small. Surprise Corner offers a stunning view of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Spray Valley, and it is quite an iconic photography spot. You can also access Hoodoo Trail from the parking lot, and hike 2km+ to Bow Falls Viewpoint – make a full day of it!

If you want possibly the very BEST bucket-list experience of all these Banff winter activities, take a helicopter ride over the Canadian Rockies. Depending on the tour and pilot, you’ll get to see absolutely spectacular views from frozen glaciers to mountain views, icy waterfalls, and more. You might even get a chance to land and snowshoe in the Canadian wilderness – a unique experience not many will get to try!

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